Thieves stole a mountain bike from a car parked outside a church in Boughton Monchelsea

Bike owners are being urged to protect their property after a bike was stolen from the roof rack of a car parked outside a church.

The victim had travelled from Somerset to visit family and left his car parked in Church Hill, Boughton Monchelsea, on Sunday, March 30.

He came back to discover his bike was missing. Police believe the thieves climbed on top of the car and pulled the bike from the rack.

A Giant mountain bike, stolen from a roof rack in Boughton Monchelsea

DI Susie Harper said: "Thieves target bikes because they assume it is a low risk crime with high rewards. However if you take precautionary measures and also mark your possessions we have a far greater chance of identifying the owners when we recover stolen property. Currently, a significant number of bicycles and other goods recovered cannot be returned because we are simply unable trace the rightful owner."

Officers have released an image of the stolen Giant mountain bike, which is black with white and grey markings. If you can help, call 01622 604271, quoting reference YY/006560/14.

Police are also currently running their Stay Safe this Spring campaign, which includes targeting those thought to be responsible for committing cycle thefts in the county.